Monday, January 31, 2011

E.L.F. Studio Mineral Infused Facial Primer Review!

E.L.F. Mineral Facial Primer

Product Description: "Transform your face into a flawless and smooth canvas with the Mineral Infused Face Primer. Developed to combat against excess oil, flaky dryness, enlarged pores and fine lines. This clear multipurpose skin primer will prepare your skin so makeup goes on evenly for a long lasting satin finish."

Directions: Apply to clear skin prior to makeup application. Use a small amount and blend evenly all over the face for a smooth and flawless base.



Left: Smoothed Out, Right: Blended


Sunday, January 30, 2011

Illamasqua Obey Lipstick Review, Swatches & Comparisons.

illamasqua obey lipstick

Illamasqua Obey Lipstick

Illamasqua Obey Lipstick ($22) is described as a coral-pink with a matte finish. Since peachy-pinks are my favorite shades of lipstick to wear, Obey was my first choice out of all of the different shades Illamasqua has to choose from.

Obey is very vibrant and very opaque. Applied heavily, it looks neon, so I like only applying a thin layer and applying a little gloss on top. It's absolutely gorgeous!

I like the formula of this lipstick and even though it's a matte, it hasn't seemed to dry out my lips more than average. If my lips are already dry though, it does accentuate the dryness a little bit (which is normal with matte lipsticks.)

illamasqua obey

illamasqua obey swatch
Illamasqua Obey Lipstick on my lips (My lips are lined with MAC Spice Lip Liner)

Formspring!

Hey Everyone!

I Hope you all are having a good weekend! I just wanted to share that I created a formspring account! So, you can ask me anything you want anonymously & read questions others have asked me along with my response. 

Click the link below to ask away!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Sephora Haul! NARS and Illamasqua!

Hey Guys!

I purchased a few things online from Sephora a few days ago and received my package today! I'm so excited to try everything!

Onto what I purchased...



1) NARS Bronzing Powder in "Irresistiblement" - A terracotta toned bronzer.. rather than a brown toned bronzer. I've read this is somewhat similar to MAC Smooth Harmony Beauty Powder.. so I'm excited to see if they are anything alike.. since I love Smooth Harmony! (It was a limited edition item. I have it from the Heatherette Collection)
2) NARS Single Eyeshadow in "Bali" -  A pigmented neutral taupe.
3) NARS Single Eyeshadow in "Coconut Grove" - A very pigmented, deep brown.
4) Illamasqua Lipstick in "Obey" - I was stuck between Brink, Fable, Obey, Over and Test. In the end, I chose Obey. It's a matte, pink peach/coral.
5) Illamasqua Powder Blusher in "Lover" - I'm on the hunt for a peach blush.. It was described on the website as a "vibrant apricot". Looking at Lover, it doesn't look like what I had invisioned. I was looking for a peach blush with no pink tones.. because anything peach with pink all looks the same on my skintone. Like Nars Orgasm.. or MAC Springsheen. It's very aggravating. I did own MAC Peaches, but ended up swapping it.. because it still wasn't what I was really looking for. It was too coral on my cheeks. I hope Lover looks better on my cheeks than it does in the pan.

I'll have swatches and photos of these products up for you soon!

Do you own any of these products??

Testing out L'Oreal MagicSmooth Souffle!


You might have been hearing about L'Oreal MagicSmooth Souffle since the near year. It launched January of 2011 like Maybelline Fit Me, but was spotted in some stores a little earlier. The first time I came across this foundation was when I spotted Maybelline Fit Me and purchased it. It was something I was interested in purchasing, but with the close to $15 price tag, I decided to hold out until some reviews popped up for it. What's pretty cool is that the display for L'Oreal MagicSmooth Souffle has little samples that you can take for free to try it for yourself. Each display doesn't have very many, so I took one each time I went to a different drugstore. I accumulated four.. so I thought it would be a good time to try it out.


What I don't like about the sample is that for some reason, it isn't labeled what shade it is. The color is light/med neutral beige. The sample is the smallest smudge of product, that you wouldn't even be able to cover your chin with one packet. With a free sample, you'd expect at least a full face application.. but I can't complain, right? At least there are samples so you can at least test it and feel the consistency.

Swatched on my hand, the color is a little on the pink/orange side..

I knew that even the 4 packets weren't going to be enough for the type of coverage I'd want, so I decided only to apply it to half of my face and on the other half of my face apply Revlon Colorstay - mostly to compare the coverage and finish.

As you can see, the left side of my face is slightly shinier - or brighter than the right. Revlon Colorstay (for combination skin) gives me a satiny matte finish with a heavy medium coverage. The right side of my face is completely matte, and slightly dull. The dullness may be due to the incorrect color match though. The coverage I received from using 3 packets was a medium coverage (a light-medium). I have a few blemishes (you can't tell from the photo) and the redness from them peeked through.. but my overall skin tone was evened out. I'm sure if I had more product, the coverage would be buildable to a solid medium or a bit of a full coverage.

To apply the foundation I moisturized my face with Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel and then swirled the foundation into my face with my ELF Studio Duo Fibre Brush. I think the Duo Fibre is the appropriate brush for this type of foundation. I was actually happy with the coverage considering I used such a little amount of product. The only thing I didn't really care for was the very matte finish (I prefer satin or slightly dewy). Also, I wasn't very happy with the dullness my face had wearing this foundation. But, like I said it may be due to the incorrect shade. I wore the foundation for around 5 hours to see how it would hold up and my face didn't get oily at all, despite I didn't set it with a powder. Most of the foundation stayed in tact, but because I took a nap.. a little bit had disappeared. So, I can't really say how the lasting power is.

I actually do plan on purchasing the full size product, but only if it's on sale.

Have you tried this product or are you planning to? 

Thursday, January 27, 2011

My Forever 21 Picks!

I was just browsing on Forever 21's website and thought I'd share the items that I would pick out! I use to do posts like these.. but I haven't in a really long time. I was a little surprised by the selection of clothing.. there barely is any! Maybe because its near the end of winter..

Anyway, here is what I picked!

I'm not sure If I'll place an order for anything yet or not.. I may end up purchasing a few things. We'll see. :)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

NOTD: Essie Sew Psyched Nail Polish!

Essie Sew Psyched Nail Polish

Essie Sew Psyched is a creamy, neutral gray-green (army green) with a soft, luminous sheen. 

Like many reviewers have mentioned, it's the perfect military/khaki green that goes with a lot of the military themed fashion this past fall. I own a few green polishes and don't wear them very often, but this is such a pretty shade that I think will flatter a lot of clothing pieces in my wardrobe. I wear a lot of tan and gray and I think this will go great! 

The formula is very creamy and opaque. With one coat, the color is opaque, but two coats is recommended for better wear.

One coat of Essie Sew Psyched (no top coat)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

My Face Today! Wearing Maybelline Fit Me Foundation & Concealer..

(I took these photos by a window in the late afternoon with no flash. The lighting looks different in some photos because it was a little cloudy out and the sun would come and go.)
Face:
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Bobbi Brown Corrector #Light Peach
Maybelline Fit Me Foundation #220
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer #20
MAC Smooth Harmony Beauty Powder
Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush #15 Orchid Rose
Urban Decay Eyeshadow #Sin (used as a highlight on my cheekbones)

Eyes:
MAC Paint #Bare Canvas (as a base all over my lid)
MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow (all over my lid - stopping at my crease & smudged under my lower lashline halfway)
MAC Espresso Eyeshadow (applied in my crease and extended up and outward)
MAC Nehru Eyeshadow (deepened my outer "V")
Covergirl LineExact Liquid Liner #Black Brown
Ardell Wispies False Lashes applied with Duo (Black) Adhesive
Covergirl Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara

Brows:
Essence Eyebrow Designer #02 Brown

Lips:
Rimmel 1,000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner #Indian Pink (just the outline)
NYX Round Lipgloss #Doll Pink

and Rocky wouldn't stop biting the curtains and my feet, so I held him for a few pictures.. lol

Update: My thoughts about Maybelline Fit Me still remain the same. I've been wearing it more and more and I love it.. love the consistency and coverage.. but my only compaint is still that it simply fades too quickly and I have to touch up a few times a day..

In other news, lol.. I made a purchase last night on Sephora.com with one of my Christmas gift cards! I'm a little sad I didn't get to order a foundation. I REALLY wanted to try Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation.. but I'm stuck on which color to get.. So Instead I held off and ordered a bronzer, blush, a couple of eye shadows and a lipstick! I can't wait to haul all of the products and show you swatches!

And by the way, did you notice I'm sporting a bold lip again? I think 2011 might entail trying lots of new colors. I love NYX Doll Pink.. I've had it for over a year though and this may be my third time wearing it. I'm going to keep it in my bag and try wearing it more often.. I think the color suits me well.. :)

Monday, January 24, 2011

E.L.F Studio Translucent Matifying Powder Review with Photos & Swatches!

E.L.F Studio Translucent Matifying Powder

Product Description: Achieve even flawless skin that’s smoother, redefined and shine free. This translucent powder works on a wide variety of skin tones to help set your makeup in so it lasts longer. The silky lightweight formula also miraculously mattes skin to diminish oil and shine for a beautiful and healthy look!

Directions: Use the sponge to blend in the powder over the face, neck and décolletage as a setting powder. Reapply as needed throughout the day for a refreshed look.
(Source: eyeslipsface.com)


Sunday, January 23, 2011

NOTD: Essence Colour & Go in #27 No More Drama!

Essence Colour & Go Nail Polish
#27 No More Drama
Two (2) coats, no top coat. Top: Indoors, no flash. Bottom: Indoors, flash.
Since I posted earlier in the week a NOTD with my new Essence (Ultimate Pink) Colour & Go Nail Polish, I figured I'd do another NOTD with the other color I own. "No More Drama"

"No More Drama" is basically lilac in a bottle. The formula is less opaque than "Ultimate Pink" and is a little sheer with one coat. With two coats my nails were completely opaque (except my thumb.. I smudged it a bit). Like I mentioned before, love the short applicator and thick brush for fast and precise application.

It's a little difficult for me to "pull off" pastel colors. The darker the polish is, the better it seems to suit my skintone. I've always liked pastel purple polishes.. but they never look right on me. They are always too pastel and look almost white on my nails. This is the perfect "pastel" purple and works great with my skintone. It's a great colour for Spring! It makes me think about Easter.. (which.. holy cow.. isn't too far away!!)

You can view all shades of Colour & Go Polishes on the ULTA website here.

Essence Nude Kiss XXXL Nudes Lipgloss Review!


Essence Nude Kiss XXXL Nudes Lipgloss

Product Description: Ultimate shine for your lips! The XXXL shine lipgloss pampers your lips without leaving behind a sticky feeling. Contains vitamin e and panthenol to prevent your lips from feeling dry. Available in eleven trendy shades.

Nude Kiss is a sheer, warm pink with very fine pinkish white glitter reflects. The formula is smooth and thin - no stickiness what so ever. It also isn't a gloss that just sits on my lips.. it actually feels somewhat moisturizing. It has a faint fragrance to it - kind of plasticy? But it doesn't bother me. I love the sponge applicator. It's a somewhat large, flat brush that coats your lips with one sweep.

Can be purchased at ULTA for $1.99 each.


Friday, January 21, 2011

YSL Tender Peach Rouge Volupte Lipstick Review, Photos & Swatches!

YSL Tender Peach Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick

YSL Tender Peach Rouge Volupte is a creamy and vibrant, medium pinky-peach with a shiny finish. The color is opaque with one swipe.
An object of desire, this award-winning lipstick is wrapped in a romantic, elegant gold case that exudes luxury. Each signature shade saturates lips in captivating color that’s intensely pigmented, and imparts an irresistible glossy shine. The long-lasting, comforting formula is highlighted with a unique Color-shine Complex that leaves lips visibly smoother, plumper and more radiant. Light, silky texture smoothes on a veil of satiny, sensual color that’s altogether alluring . Companion mirror on top of case ensures easy application any time. SPF 15. - yslbeautyus.com
The quality is what you'd expect from a YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick. It's buttery soft and creamy and applies to the lips like a dream. Despite it's creaminess, it feels very light - almost slippery on the lips. It also has the signature mango scent.

YSL #26 Tender Peach Rouge Volupte Lipstick

Here is YSL Tender Peach Lipstick on my lips. My lips are lightly lined with MAC
Stripdown Lip Liner.

Review: Covergirl Professional Super Thick Mascara!


Covergirl Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: "For big, bold, thick lashes, Super Thick Lash is the one. Its Lash Builder brush separates, defines, and reaches for those little lashes so you get thick, full lashes – so easy, so beautiful!"

»For bold, thick lashes
»Suitable for contact wearers and Sensitive eyes
»Smudge-proof


Review: I originally purchased this mascara because I thought I HAD to try it because of the positive reviews (rated 4/5 on makeupalley with a 75% re-purchase rate - which is high!). Another thing that lured me to try it is because I've had great luck with Covergirl Mascara (since Lash Blast is my fav!) and that it claims to be smudge proof. Smudging has always been my main issue with mascaras.. and I rarely explore many mascaras because the majority end up under my eyes except for my beloved Lash Blast. I had very high expectations for this mascara.. and I'm not at all disappointed.. but I'm not blown away by the results. The name of this mascara is "Super Thick Lash".. and I didn't find that this made my lashes "Super Thick". The original Lash Blast definitely builds more volume for me than this mascara.. BUT, this mascara gives me much more length.. which Lash Blast doesn't really do for me. Don't get me wrong, this mascara is buildable.. but it requires a little work to get them very volumized. This mascara has no distinct scent (just the typical scent), it stays true to the claim by not smudging, the color is very black, gives length, builds volume (requires several coats), dries quickly without smudging and doesn't make my lashes crispy. There are some mascaras that once you apply it.. you can't go back later in the day and add another coat without having wonky looking lashes. This one I could apply later in the day. The brush is a standard mascara brush.. nothing fancy. Easy to get close to the base of your lashes and in the corners. I think I actually prefer larger wands for some reason? I guess I can't really say anything bad about this mascara except for the fact.. that I wish the formula was a little wetter? So I can build volume as quick as I can with YSL Faux Cils or CG Lash Blast. I will continue using this mascara and I will probably combine this with Lash Blast for more dramatic lashes. Whats really nice about this mascara is the price! It's only around $4 - half of the price of Lash Blast. 

 If you're looking for a new mascara - This is a pretty nice one to try.. (For the record, it does much more for me than CG Last Blast Length & Maybelline Lash Stiletto..)


Whats your favorite mascara? Is there one you think I should try? Let me know in the comments. :)

Thanks for Reading!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

FOTD with Bright Lipstick!


I thought I'd so something a little different with my makeup.. I never really wear any colors outside of my "comfort zone".. but after seeing Tanya Burr's makeup in her recent "Products I regret not buying" video.. I had to give some color a try.

Isn't her makeup gorgeous here? (click to view full size)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyuobcjeAQE

Because she went bold with the lips, she decided to keep it pretty natural on the eyes.

Since I wanted to wear a bold color on my lips.... I went with a very soft wash of color on my lids. I used a sheer taupe and a white eyeshadow all over my lid and lined my upper lid only.. and only applied mascara to my upper lashes.

I did something a little different with my bangs. Instead of flat ironing them, I blow dried them and swept them outward.. not sure If I liked the result.. It kind of looked like a comb over.. LOL Oh well.


FACE:
Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer #NW25
Bobbi Brown Eye Brightener # Light (Discontinued, pot)
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation #Stromboli
MAC Smooth Harmony Beauty Powder (LE, to contour)
MAC Petticoat Mineralize Skinfinish
Stila Rose Gold Illuminating Finishing Powder (Highlight my cheekbones & bridge of my nose)
Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation #W-3 (Mineral powder to set my concealer, brighten area & add extra coverage)

EYES:
Napoleon Perdis Smoke Signals Palette (light taupe shade all over lid and in the crease & white shade on top- stopping at my crease to brighten my lid)
MAC Smolder Eyeliner Pencil
Covergirl Professional Super Thick Mascara
Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara (for added volume)

BROWS:
E.L.F Brow Kit #Medium

LIPS:
Rimmel 1,000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner #Indian Pink (Lined, filled in my lips and blotted)
NYX Louisiana Round Lip Stick
MAC Clear Lip Glass
MAC Your Ladyship Pigment (A tiny bit smoothed in the center of my lips to add a highlight)
Cargo Reverse Lip Liner #Medium (To define the shape of my lips)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Review: N.Y.C Blushable Creme Sticks in the shades Urban Spice & South St. Seashell! + Photos & Swatch!


Product Description: "This lightweight formula blends effortlessly to provide sheer, all-over color as well as subtle, shimmering accents, contours and dynamic highlights to your cheeks."

Benefits: Sheer crè blusher dries down to a silky powder finish, Soft and creamy formula blends easily with fingertips to desired intensity and coverage, Convenient twist up stick for quick application & Non-drying, oil-free.

Application Tips: *Twist blush up and apply to the apples of your cheeks and glide across your cheekbone, blend with fingertips or sponge in a soft circular motion for a sheer flush of color. To build a deeper flush repeat this step again.
*For a contouring effect use darker shade such as South Street Seashell right below cheek bone and blend outward toward hairline, then use a highlighting shade like Plaza Pink to apply onto the apples of your cheeks and blend outward.
 (Source: newyorkcolor.com)
  N.Y.C. Blushable Creme Sticks are available in 6 different shades. Plaza Pink - 644, Big Apple Blush - 645, Urban Spice - 646, South Street Seashell - 647, Mauvin' Uptown - 648 & Berry New Yorker - 649. Click here to be redirected to the product page on N.Y.C's website.
(Shade swatches from newyorkcolor.com)
Review: I was intersted in trying these blushes just recently when I saw them being raved about by a fellow beauty blogger. Once I checked out the reviews and saw how positive they were (Rated 4.5/5 with a 88% Repurchase rate).. I knew I had to give them a try. Soon after, I saw all of N.Y.C Cosmetics on clearance at my local ULTA (I went to another ULTA a couple of days ago and their N.Y.C was not on clearance) and the creme blushsticks were priced at half off ($1.99, typically $3.99). Once I got in my car and went over my receipt.. I right away regretted purchasing these. I guess I just doubted the quality because of the reasonable price. I'm very happy to say now that I'm not at all regretting purchasing these. I was very happy when i first swatched the colors.. that the consistency is very soft, and satiny smooth. They are not at all thick, dry or greasy. The formula is very lightweight, non-sticky and easy to blend. I was a little worried at first that If I apply my foundation and then run this over my cheeks straight from the tube that it will mess up and cake my foundation.. but It doesn't at all. It's very nice that these are oil free.. these haven't seemed to bother my skin at all. The blushes have pretty good color payoff and add a really nice, natural sheen to the cheeks. For the past couple of days, I've been using Urban Spice as a contour and up my temples/around my hairline and it adds such a light, natural glow to my face. I think these are perfect for those of you that are interested in trying creme blushes and don't want to dish out a lot of money for a high end brand. The colors are very pretty & natural and are super easy to blend. Also, these can be sheered out and used as a base for your powder blush. A very versatile product.

Available at: Wal-mart, Target, Rite-Aid, CVS Pharmacy, Meijer, ULTA, Superdrug & More. Click here to view the retailers. These typically sell from around $3-$5 each.

Have you tried N.Y.C Blushable Creme Sticks or anything similar? Recommendations? Comment below and tell us your thoughts!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Napoleon Perdis Smoke Signals 12 Color Eye Shadow Palette (For Target Holiday 2010)

Napoleon Perdis Smoke Signals 12 Color Eye Shadow Palette

Napoleon Perdis Smoke Signals 12 Color Eye Shadow Palette

I grabbed this palette off of the Clearance rack at Target a few days ago. It was originally $10.. and was one of the holiday stocking stuffers that Target has to offer every year in the cosmetics dept. It was priced down to only $2.48! They also had a few Pixi palettes left for the same price.. but I ended up putting it back because I figured I wouldn't use it much. Last year I purchased the Napoleon holiday palette at Target and really liked it. The quality of the shadows are awesome!

Did anyone else pick up this palette? If you're at Target be sure to check out the Clearance racks.. you might find some goodies!! :)

NOTD: Essence Colour & Go in 08 Ultimate Pink!

Essence Colour & Go Nail Polish - Ultimate Pink
I got this nail polish yesterday at ULTA.. Essence has some really cute colors and they're only 99 cents each! I was temped to buy a taupe and a grey.. but I figured I own enough of those. I'm not sure how well these polishes wear.. I only have one other Essence polish that I puchased last summer. I think they're pretty average.. but I'll update this post and let you know when my nails start chipping.

The formula is very nice.. it's not too thick or thin. The color is opaque and the color dries pretty quickly. It says "1 second per nail".. which it's not exactly 1 second.. but it's around the same as an OPI polish. I applied a second coat within a minute and my nails didn't cake up or get nicked. I also really like the brush. It's not too long and it's pretty thick (not as thick as Rimmel Lasting Finish though) so it makes applying the nail polish very quick.
This is two coats, no top coat.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Maybelline Born with It and Pink Please Color Sensational Lipsticks Review, Photos & Swatches!

Maybelline Born with It and Pink Please Color Sensational Lipsticks

Born with it and Pink Please are extremely similar. They are both light pinks - Pink Please is a bubblegum pink with no frost/sparkle and Born with it is the slightest touch lighter and has a very fine, shimmery sheen. In the tubes they both appear to be shiny like a MAC Cremesheen or Lustre.

When I initially purchased these lipsticks, I thought they were going to be warm pinks.. But applied to the lips they are pretty neutral. Pink Please is slightly warmer than Born With It. On my lips, they both appear to be slight lilac pinks. The sparkle in Born With It is barely visible - it just makes the lipstick appear slightly shiny. I could really only tell the difference between the two when I applied them heavily. Applied heavy, Pink Please is definitely bolder. Born with it is a little lighter and natural.